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Business Innovation Act funding, AI regulation and online design code are top Tech Nebraska priorities for the 2026 NE legislative session
Tech Nebraska shared with Silicon Prairie News its top three bills for the 2026 session, all of which focus on innovation in the state. Funding the BIA is a key priority across the business and startup landscape after its instability in 2025.
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AI policy and workforce needs affect startups and big companies alike, panel says at NE Chamber annual meeting
Despite anxieties over how AI will make some jobs obsolete, a Tech Nebraska panel sees an opportunity to grow the tech and tech-supporting workforce. But doing so will require business-friendly policies, as the NE Chamber celebrates Nebraska but raises concerns about economic development.
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North Omaha elected leaders unite for new economic development initiative to boost workforce and community investment policies
The “New North: Economic and Innovation Development Initiative” is being led by State Sen. Ashlei Spivey and includes a variety of state and local elected officials serving North Omaha. They intend to better coordinate policy efforts for continued development in the historically disinvested area.
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Nebraska companies, including Grain Weevil and Sentinel Ag, win top engineering awards in a show of momentum for the agtech ecosystem
Six of the 33 companies that won 2026 AE50 awards are in Nebraska. The strong showing is a win for Nebraska’s investment in agtech, including with resources like The Combine and Grit Road Partners. Advocates see this as the start of the state’s agtech journey, with more resources needed to maintain momentum.
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Applications open for Steel Works Health Accelerator, a new public-private effort to support healthtech startups in Nebraska
CQuence Health, UNeMed and the UNeTech Institute are partnering on the 16-week curriculum to prep Nebraska startups to navigate the complex world of health care. As part of the program, companies will hone their business plans and apply for federal SBIR funding.
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To solve poverty and workforce needs, Kellee Mikuls applies startup lessons from Swishboom to help Ignite Nebraska grow
Mikuls, the executive director of Ignite Nebraska, learned how to lead and solve problems with a startup mindset when founding Swishboom. The child care startup shuttered in 2023, but she found her skills can also work in the nonprofit world and help Nebraska in other ways.
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Three sites being explored for Airport Business Park as leaders work to rebuild community trust
The project, supported by $90 million in state funds through the Omaha Inland Port Authority, had a rocky start. But a recent community meeting showcasing plans for three sites was met with a positive response as developers hope to get moving on their work in 2026.
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NE Chamber hires Luisa Smith to lead lobbying for Tech Nebraska as director of government affairs
Smith comes to Nebraska after several years working on policy in Washington, D.C., for an Idaho senator. She is the first dedicated government affairs and policy lead for the Nebraska tech industry group.
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Abby Bartholomew is the new director for entrepreneurship and innovation at the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development
Bartholomew, who started Jan. 5, is an entrepreneur and business owner hoping to support all parts of the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Top of mind: making sure all businesses know about and can access the founder community for help.
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After interim role, Cheryl Horst now guides UNL tech transfer as executive director of NUtech Ventures
NUtech Ventures works with researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to protect and license their innovations for commercial use. As funding gets tight, Horst leads a greater focus on entrepreneurship and industry relations.
Lev Gringauz
